Understanding 5G Frequency Bands: Coverage and Performance Across Different Ranges

5G networks utilize a variety of frequency bands, each with specific coverage characteristics:

• 600-700 MHz: Reaches up to 10-15 km under optimal conditions. This range is well-suited for rural regions due to its excellent building penetration.
• 850 MHz: Offers a similar range of about 5-10 km, providing strong outdoor coverage and effective obstacle penetration.
• 2.3 – 3.5 GHz: Covers approximately 1-5 km, making it ideal for suburban and urban areas as it offers a good balance between range and data speed.
• 28 GHz and higher (mmWave): Limited to about 100-500 meters due to its higher sensitivity to obstacles, but capable of extremely high data rates, which is ideal for highly congested areas like stadiums or shopping centers.

In summary, lower frequencies excel in long-range coverage and building penetration, while higher frequencies deliver greater data speeds across shorter distances.